Dispute between Lingaraj Temple servitors solved, rituals to resume

Bhubaneswar: The ongoing disputed between the servitors of Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple has finally solved, informed Khurda Collector Chanchal Rana after attending a meeting of the Temple’s Trust Board today .

While speaking to the newsmen, the Khurda Collector said that the dispute between the servitors which led to disruption of rituals has been solved at the meeting of the Trust Board. The ADM has been asked to file a detailed report over the issue in 24 hours, based on which, stricter action will be taken against those who will be found guilty, he informed.

“The accused servitors will be served show-case notices and action will be taken against them as per section 32 of the Trust Board,” the collector assured.

Concerned officials and representatives of the Pujapanda Nijog and Badu Nijog attended the meeting held at the Circuit House to find out ways and means to solve the dispute.

With the meeting ending positively and solving the dispute, now it is expected that the rituals of Lord Lingaraj will get normalized from now on.

Earlier in the day, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan convened a meeting at his residence with the people concerned; however, it reportedly remained inconclusive. Following this, the Trust Board meeting was conducted.

It is to be noted here that the presiding deity at the Lingaraj Temple remained hungry since Monday evening after a dispute erupted between the Mahasura and Badu servitors as to which group would conduct the ‘Ghruta Kamala’ ritual on the Makar Sankranti. The incident took place when the deity was taken to the Makara Mandap outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple so that the ‘Ghruta Kamala’ ritual would be performed. However, the deity has been seated there without any food since Monday evening.

Meanwhile, Odisha Law Minister has warns of stringent action if such disruption of the rituals takes place again at the Lingaraj Temple.